A jazz event is just different. But then, it's also the same. People come in, they sit down, there are introductions, there is some tuning, and then music begins. Three guys (in this case) who have never played together. A Great Experiment. They all know the songs they will play.....only after the pianist tells them what they are going to play next. "This song is always played in F. I don't know why. Did you ever play it in another key?" "No, always in F" "Ok, in F then." And then magic happens. Last night the friends were Veikko Lepisto on bass and Ben Baldwin on drums, the first an experienced veteran of many tours, but with obvious joy in the making of something new, and the other still a "student" at UMD, but clearly a maestro in the making. And the master himself, Ryan Frane, at the helm, showing the way, with creativity, nuance, beauty, style, humor, sensitivity, class.

Never played together.

Once again, Standing Room Only. For Paul and I also a grand experiment. How will our store work for such an event? The sounds were amazing. From the quietest PPP (Pierce/Piszczek/Pianos) to the loudest FF (fine fun!), everything sounded great in the space. Maybe the sight lines weren't always the best, but the mirrors made up for some of that. Always a different angle on the action. Again, some youngsters in the room. This time maybe a bit more formal, but the discussions went on in all corners during the break. I wish we had better control over the heat and humidity. Maybe that will come. We are learning how to accommodate a larger audience. The atmosphere makes up for a lot. There is a lot to look at in our store.

A jazz night is always different. Sometimes it never seems to end. Even in the break and afterwards, notes were flying around the room from keys that had to be played. We earned a few more fans last night, Paul and I. Our store offers something different to Downtown Duluth. Maybe the parking could be better (it will be, I am promised). Still, people will learn that they have to get there earlier to get a good seat. They will learn that there is free parking one block away in both directions. They will learn that magic is happening in our store.Don't worry if you missed the concert last night. I think there will be more.